Posts tagged ‘awareness’

I find ‘The Invitation’ (video and/or words below) a deeply inspiring poem. I already knew it but read it again this week in a new light. Not only does it capture the essence of how I aspire to ‘be with’ and ‘relate to’ others, it is very much an invitation – and reminder – to myself and those with whom I work to live as fully as we can in all that we do (including also being more effective and influential at works).

Regarding my leadership work, this reminds me how I can help others to be and act in authentic relationships – at home, in the office, professionally, personally, intimately…but always starting and ending with the ever-evolving relationship with oneself. In a sense, this poem is an invitation to us all to keep learning how to be a whole person on our continual learning journey of self awareness, daring to witness and fully relate to others on theirs.

The Invitation
by Oriah Mountain Dreamer

It doesn’t interest mewhat you do for a living.I want to knowwhat you ache forand if you dare to dreamof meeting your heart’s longing.

I saw and was instantly inspired by the following poem, written by Charlie Chaplin.

So many individual verses resonate for me, for diverse reasons, each helping me to better understand where I’ve been, and better prepare for me for whatever’s to come; the whole of which helps me to make even more of myself and the world around me each and every present moment.

As I Began to Love Myself – by Charlie Chaplin

As I began to love myself I found that anguish and emotional suffering are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth. Today, I know, this is “AUTHENTICITY”.

As I began to love myself I understood how much it can offend somebody. As I try to force my desires on this person, even though I knew the time was not right and the person was not ready for it, and even though this person was me. Today I call it “RESPECT”.

Do you ever wish you’d had a certain conversation and never did? Maybe you still have a choice?

Winter Solstice at Stonehenge

Before Christmas, I had the privilege to visit Stonehenge and nearby Avebury for the Winter Solstice. It was something I have wanted to experience for myself for a few years (you know, one of those things you say you’ll get round to – one day…) The urge and opportunity this year was strong so all it took was a small nudge from my friend Rebekah Shaman to go.

Answering urges

It felt such a privilege to have open public access to this most ancient and celebrated of stone circles at Stonehenge for about 90 minutes spanning over sunrise. It was also a privilege to see and hear the Druids ‘in action’, continuing their traditions over the eons of honouring the sun, the earth, humanity and all that is.

AND the biggest privilege of all, as it turned out, came from inviting my parents (both originally from Wiltshire) and both saying yes! It is not what I expected, so it’s funny what can happen when you dare to try something different.

“Yule is when the dark half of the year relinquishes to the light half. Starting the next morning at sunrise, the sun climbs just a little higher and stays a little longer in the sky each day.” Yule Lore

It’s a special time of year for me. I feel very lucky to be able to say that. It is one of my favourite occasions for family coming together for a time of appreciation, generosity, good food and lots of laughter!

For some it is simply ‘holiday season’ away from work. For many it is about gathering with friends and family, but while that brings celebration and joy for many, for others it triggers stress and sorrow.

For all it can bring much into sharp focus. That opportunity to reflect is powerful (not necessarily pain-free!) for taking responsibility for where we are and where we’re headed.

Really?? Surely not. So much to do, so little time to do it, pressure of job lists, Christmas upon us, the competition of business, the world in crisis…I could go on. So much pressure that we create for ourselves!!! I can feel it even as I write the words!!

Yet at the same time, we can only do what we can do, one step at a time.

Personally, I have to keep reminding myself, as well as those I work with, especially so as not to run old patterns and behaviours of beating ourselves up against our own standards and ideas on striving for ‘better’ or ‘perfect’ (whatever perfect is, eh?!)